adj
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recessive
Recessive (adj) means moving backwards, or tending to withdraw.
adj
1
Moving backwards, or tending to withdraw.
2
(biology) Describes a gene or trait that stays hidden when a stronger, dominant version is present.
"This plan takes advantage of the fact that barless is the most recessive of a series of alleles."
— American Pigeon Journal (1988)
"The series of murine Agouti alleles is a consistent array as it progresses from the most recessive to the most dominant allele (Jackson, 1994)."
— D. P. Sponenberg, M. F. Rothschild (2001)
3
Not dominant, having an effect that is hidden by stronger ones.
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Etymology
Formed from Latin recēdō and -ive, or borrowed directly from New Latin recessīvus.
Synonyms
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recessionary
Antonyms
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Rhymes for recessive
See all rhymes for recessive →Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of recessive?
"recessive" (adj) means moving backwards, or tending to withdraw.
What is another word for recessive?
Other words for "recessive" include recessionary.
What is the opposite of recessive?
The opposite of "recessive" is dominant.
What are the different meanings of recessive?
"recessive" has 3 main meanings: 1. Moving backwards, or tending to withdraw; 2. (biology) Describes a gene or trait that stays hidden when a stronger, dominant version is present; 3. Not dominant, having an effect that is hidden by stronger ones.
